Audrey's preschool had a Thanksgiving lunch yesterday and this was her class's presentation. For those who don't know, she goes to a Spanish immersion preschool, and the name of her class is Abejas (or Bumblebees). We had no idea she was going to be singing a song, so it was a great surprise!
The translation of the song is below:
The turkey on the farm says, "gobble, gobble, gobble,
Gobble, gobble, gobble,
Gobble, gobble, gobble."
The turkey on the farms says, "gobble, gobble, gobble."
Thanksgiving has come.
The farmer on the farm says, "chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop."
The farmer on the farm says, "chop, chop, chop."
Thanksgiving has come.
The family on the farm says, "Thank you for supper,
Thank you for supper,
Thank you for supper."
The family on the farm says, "Thank you for supper."
Thanksgiving has come.
The Abejas say to you, "Thank you for coming,
Thank you for coming,
Thank you for coming."
The Abejas say to you, "Thank you for coming."
Thanksgiving has come.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Leaves
OK, so the leaves were beautiful about a month ago. Now that they've fallen into our yard, I have fewer good things to say about them. I've already raked 24 bags of leaves, yet you still can't see grass ANYWHERE in our backyard. The good news is that most of the leaves off of our front yard trees have fallen. The backyard is still a mess.
Here's a pic from 2 days ago, halfway through the front yard. Also a pic of the front yard trees that have almost lost their leaves.
Here's a pic from 2 days ago, halfway through the front yard. Also a pic of the front yard trees that have almost lost their leaves.
Another Round at the Dentist
The girls went to the dentist on Thursday. If anyone from Northern Virginia is reading this and you need an AWESOME pediatric dentist, let me know. They had a great time (yes, we really were at the dentist). When we went in SD in May, Audrey was a champ but Avery really wanted nothing to do with the dentist. This time, she was a bit suspicious at first, but she got on board and did superbly!
They each got to pick out their own toothbrush for the dentist to use (Avery picked a penguin, Audrey picked a zebra), their own flavor toothpaste (they both chose cotton candy), a prize at the end (they both chose a balloon ... I was surprised because other options included tattoos and getting nails painted, which they usually love), they got a cute zipper pouch with toothbrush, toothpaste, kid's floss and a timer to take home, and because they were both in the "no cavity" club, they got a gold coin to put in a gumball machine and get a prize. Audrey chose a ring, Avery chose a rubber cow. (I can't explain how a 2-year-old looks at all the possible prizes and decides on a rubber cow the size of a dime, but even 3 days later, she carries it around everywhere.)
It's a joy to spend gthe days with these girls, INCLUDING taking them to the dentist!
(I also have a video of Audrey but I tried for more than an hour to upload it and it never worked, so I'll try again later).
They each got to pick out their own toothbrush for the dentist to use (Avery picked a penguin, Audrey picked a zebra), their own flavor toothpaste (they both chose cotton candy), a prize at the end (they both chose a balloon ... I was surprised because other options included tattoos and getting nails painted, which they usually love), they got a cute zipper pouch with toothbrush, toothpaste, kid's floss and a timer to take home, and because they were both in the "no cavity" club, they got a gold coin to put in a gumball machine and get a prize. Audrey chose a ring, Avery chose a rubber cow. (I can't explain how a 2-year-old looks at all the possible prizes and decides on a rubber cow the size of a dime, but even 3 days later, she carries it around everywhere.)
It's a joy to spend gthe days with these girls, INCLUDING taking them to the dentist!
(I also have a video of Audrey but I tried for more than an hour to upload it and it never worked, so I'll try again later).
Dance Class
Audrey and Avery each take a ballet/tap dance class on Wednesday afternoon. Here are some pix/video of them from this past Wednesday.
Nap Time
A couple of weeks ago when we had some friends over, we brought the trundle up so that the 4 little girls could sleep together. After the friends left, though, Audrey and Avery wanted to keep the bed up and they've been sleeping together every night. It's so cute! Separately, Rufus LOVES the new bed and we find him sleeping in there all the time.
Here's a pic of Avery and Rufus from naptime this past week.
Here's a pic of Avery and Rufus from naptime this past week.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Maps and Glue
If you know us well (or even a little bit), you know that Iain loves maps and that we have HUNDREDS of them.
Today, we checked the mail and there was a thin package in the mailbox. We opened it, and inside was a new, slick-sided map. Audrey piped up immediately, "maybe the man didn't know we already HAVE lots of maps." Priceless. (In his defense, it was for one of his classes, so I guess that's legit.)
Separately, this afternoon, we were doing art and using glue (our bottle was approximately 2/3 full). So I know all kids love glue, but after we finished our snowmen, I made the mistake of leaving the art supplies out while I went to measure the water and rice for dinner. When I came back -- literally, less than 2 minutes later -- Avery had managed to squeeze the entire glue bottle -- the entire glue bottle -- onto her piece of paper. But she was having a good time, and I guess that's the point. =)
Today, we checked the mail and there was a thin package in the mailbox. We opened it, and inside was a new, slick-sided map. Audrey piped up immediately, "maybe the man didn't know we already HAVE lots of maps." Priceless. (In his defense, it was for one of his classes, so I guess that's legit.)
Separately, this afternoon, we were doing art and using glue (our bottle was approximately 2/3 full). So I know all kids love glue, but after we finished our snowmen, I made the mistake of leaving the art supplies out while I went to measure the water and rice for dinner. When I came back -- literally, less than 2 minutes later -- Avery had managed to squeeze the entire glue bottle -- the entire glue bottle -- onto her piece of paper. But she was having a good time, and I guess that's the point. =)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Audrey & Avery Tell a Story
The girls' favorite new thing is to tell us 4 or 5 characters and then have us tell them a story. Audrey usually picks princesses (almost always Cinderella and Snow White) plus Piglet and Avery usually chooses a few princesses (usually Belle and Air-wee-ull) plus Swiper.
Yesterday at nap time, Avery looked up at her bedroom wall (which has a farm scene painted on it) and said, "Once upon a time, there were 5 sheep. And the fah-mwer on the trac-tohr went to the store. And that [she means to say "after that"], the fah-mwer and the trac-tohr go to the pool. And that, the fah-mwer sees the pigs. And that, ..." Anyway, it kept going and going, and it was so adorably amazing. She got her Pop's genes for telling a story.
Last night, she just started telling us another story, and Audrey started chiming in. They both sort of lost track of telling a story, but it's still quite cute. Tonight, she told us another one, which I didn't video, but the consistent thread in all of them is that she's still having a hard time ending them... =) Anyway, I hope we'll hear another one tomorrow and I'll try to capture it.
Yesterday at nap time, Avery looked up at her bedroom wall (which has a farm scene painted on it) and said, "Once upon a time, there were 5 sheep. And the fah-mwer on the trac-tohr went to the store. And that [she means to say "after that"], the fah-mwer and the trac-tohr go to the pool. And that, the fah-mwer sees the pigs. And that, ..." Anyway, it kept going and going, and it was so adorably amazing. She got her Pop's genes for telling a story.
Last night, she just started telling us another story, and Audrey started chiming in. They both sort of lost track of telling a story, but it's still quite cute. Tonight, she told us another one, which I didn't video, but the consistent thread in all of them is that she's still having a hard time ending them... =) Anyway, I hope we'll hear another one tomorrow and I'll try to capture it.
Go Gators!
From dinner tonight. Audrey was doing it also until, of course, the time I decided to tape it....
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Iain's Getting Old
This came for him in the mail yesterday. Seriously. I mean, he is older than me, but I didn't think he was THIS old.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Shenandoah
We went to Shenandoah National Park yesterday. It was beautiful! The leaves are changing colors (really, my first time ever to see the fall leaves in such a vast expanse), the weather was gorgeous, and everyone was happy. We'll have to go again when Avery gets home from Mim's house (which, by the way, she seems to be enjoying, but I don't think she's allowed to be away from me again for more than a day until she's approximately 18). =)
While there, we were able to fend off a cute 3-year-old troll (we had to make silly faces and do silly dances to get by). Audrey also amazingly had cell phone reception in the woods and was able to arrange for the princesses to meet us later for dinner.
Here are a couple of pix. I can pretty much guarantee that this is an outfit that will follow her for the next 50 years of her life, but I didn't have much control. She insisted on her overalls (she only has them in the shorts variety) and frog boots. I told her she had to wear something underneath because it was too cold, so she chose the striped leggings with the flower shirt. I'm a smart enough mom not to argue with a happy 3-year old over clothes for a picnic! =)
While there, we were able to fend off a cute 3-year-old troll (we had to make silly faces and do silly dances to get by). Audrey also amazingly had cell phone reception in the woods and was able to arrange for the princesses to meet us later for dinner.
Here are a couple of pix. I can pretty much guarantee that this is an outfit that will follow her for the next 50 years of her life, but I didn't have much control. She insisted on her overalls (she only has them in the shorts variety) and frog boots. I told her she had to wear something underneath because it was too cold, so she chose the striped leggings with the flower shirt. I'm a smart enough mom not to argue with a happy 3-year old over clothes for a picnic! =)
Friday, October 22, 2010
Today
Audrey's class was making a book about growing up and she had to have a recent picture. Me, being a good mom, has about zero recent printed pictures (we have tons that are digitally available and even some in a frame, but none ready to go to a school project). So I took this one this morning. Quite beautiful!
Separately, Iain scored us a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol building today. It was really interesting. Here's a pic of us after the tour.
Avery, we love you!
Separately, Iain scored us a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol building today. It was really interesting. Here's a pic of us after the tour.
Avery, we love you!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Ava
So our adorable niece was here last week (oh yeah, her parents were here too). And when I say adorable, I don't mean adorable like "oh, of course, everyone's own niece is adorable." I mean adorable in the "so stinkin' cute I can't stand it" kind of way.
I'm sorry to say, though, that I only managed to take one pic of her while she was visiting (very, very lame). Here are the 3 of them watching TV.
And speaking of nieces, we're expecting 2 more in January. And I use the term "we're expecting" very loosely. It's really my sister-in-law who will endure the joy (or something like that) of delivering twin girls! We're super excited!
I'm sorry to say, though, that I only managed to take one pic of her while she was visiting (very, very lame). Here are the 3 of them watching TV.
And speaking of nieces, we're expecting 2 more in January. And I use the term "we're expecting" very loosely. It's really my sister-in-law who will endure the joy (or something like that) of delivering twin girls! We're super excited!
Funny Things
Last week, Audrey (who pretends to be Alyssa) walked into the bathroom where Avery (who Audrey pretends is Wyatt) was in the bathtub.
Audrey: "Hi. My name's Audrey. What's your name?"
Avery: "Avery."
Audrey: "No. No, you're Wyatt."
Avery: "Wyatt."
Audrey: "Well, it's nice to meet you Wyatt."
Two weeks ago:
Audrey: "Mommy, I need to go make a work call."
Me: "Okay."
Audrey: "No, I need to do it from my bedroom. But you can listen."
[Up the stairs. Audrey dials plastic phone.]
Audrey (on the phone): "Hello. Cinderella? This is Snow White. I'm the real Snow White and you and Ariel are the pretend ones. Okay? Okay. Bye."
Audrey (to me): "Okay, I'm done with my work call. I'm ready to go."
Yesterday at nap time:
[Audrey is asleep in the basement. I'm getting Avery tucked into her bed in her bedroom. She's lying down and I lie next to her on the floor.]
Avery: "I lie on floor."
Me: "No, you need to lie in your bed."
Avery: "No, floor."
Me: "No, it's much, much more comfortable in your bed."
Avery: "No, much, MUCH com-fur-bul on floor."
Me: "Okay, but you can't switch back."
Avery: "Okay."
[30 seconds later, she's sound asleep on the floor.]
Audrey: "Hi. My name's Audrey. What's your name?"
Avery: "Avery."
Audrey: "No. No, you're Wyatt."
Avery: "Wyatt."
Audrey: "Well, it's nice to meet you Wyatt."
Two weeks ago:
Audrey: "Mommy, I need to go make a work call."
Me: "Okay."
Audrey: "No, I need to do it from my bedroom. But you can listen."
[Up the stairs. Audrey dials plastic phone.]
Audrey (on the phone): "Hello. Cinderella? This is Snow White. I'm the real Snow White and you and Ariel are the pretend ones. Okay? Okay. Bye."
Audrey (to me): "Okay, I'm done with my work call. I'm ready to go."
Yesterday at nap time:
[Audrey is asleep in the basement. I'm getting Avery tucked into her bed in her bedroom. She's lying down and I lie next to her on the floor.]
Avery: "I lie on floor."
Me: "No, you need to lie in your bed."
Avery: "No, floor."
Me: "No, it's much, much more comfortable in your bed."
Avery: "No, much, MUCH com-fur-bul on floor."
Me: "Okay, but you can't switch back."
Avery: "Okay."
[30 seconds later, she's sound asleep on the floor.]
Busch Gardens
On Saturday, we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg with some great friends of ours from San Diego (they moved to this area at the same time we did).
The girls (in total, five children between the two families, ages 4, 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 2 and 5 months) had a SUPER time (except the moment when the Sesame Street characters came out ... Avery thought she was excited to meet them, until she actually saw them, at which point she wrapped her arms around my neck, buried her face in my shoulder, and didn't move until I told her that we were safely away. When Elmo came out, she was brave enough to look at him, give him a super fast high-five, and then bury her face again). Audrey rode her first roller coaster (she wasn't scared but said she didn't want to ride it again). As we were leaving, the park's "Spooktacular" was starting for Halloween. People with chainsaws. People with masks. Bushes moving. We told the girls to close their eyes.
Here are a few pix.
The girls (in total, five children between the two families, ages 4, 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 2 and 5 months) had a SUPER time (except the moment when the Sesame Street characters came out ... Avery thought she was excited to meet them, until she actually saw them, at which point she wrapped her arms around my neck, buried her face in my shoulder, and didn't move until I told her that we were safely away. When Elmo came out, she was brave enough to look at him, give him a super fast high-five, and then bury her face again). Audrey rode her first roller coaster (she wasn't scared but said she didn't want to ride it again). As we were leaving, the park's "Spooktacular" was starting for Halloween. People with chainsaws. People with masks. Bushes moving. We told the girls to close their eyes.
Here are a few pix.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Runaway
I'm not posting this to try to scare any grandparents ... only to help me remember since my multiple attempts at keeping a normal journal keep failing.
Yesterday, we got home from church and all came inside. While I was fixing lunch, Audrey came in the kitchen and said "Hurry, hurry, Avery's going a long way!" So I asked "where?" and she said "I don't know. Come!" So the 3 of us ran outside, down the driveway and didn't see her anywhere. I was about to go look in the backyard, when Iain spied her at the next door neighbor's house, trying to get into their swing. So apparently, after we all came in from church, Avery decided to go back outside and take a little afternoon stroll solo. Of course, she wasn't the least bit fazed when we found her (she didn't know she was lost), though she's now been warned that if it happens again, she has a spanking in her future. And mad props to Audrey for coming to tell us! It makes my heart start racing again, even thinking about it. Anyway, lesson learned!
Yesterday, we got home from church and all came inside. While I was fixing lunch, Audrey came in the kitchen and said "Hurry, hurry, Avery's going a long way!" So I asked "where?" and she said "I don't know. Come!" So the 3 of us ran outside, down the driveway and didn't see her anywhere. I was about to go look in the backyard, when Iain spied her at the next door neighbor's house, trying to get into their swing. So apparently, after we all came in from church, Avery decided to go back outside and take a little afternoon stroll solo. Of course, she wasn't the least bit fazed when we found her (she didn't know she was lost), though she's now been warned that if it happens again, she has a spanking in her future. And mad props to Audrey for coming to tell us! It makes my heart start racing again, even thinking about it. Anyway, lesson learned!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Audrey's first show & tell
Iain and Audrey did a joint presentation at Audrey's school today about helicopters. They both wore their flight suits, and Audrey festively adorned the outfit with pink cowboy boots (courtesy of the Wrights -- thank you!). Iain said that Audrey had a great time, loudly identified the parts of the helicopter on the model, and also was able to answer ALL questions that Iain directed to the rest of the class. =)
When Iain went back at lunchtime to pick up Audrey, one of her classmates came up to him and said "I have something to tell you." So Iain waited, and the little boy said "Can you come to my house?" So cute.
I'm also including a picture of Avery on her way out the door this morning, because everyone knows that a good pilot needs a good wingman (or sippy-cup-carrying water girl, whatever the case may be).
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Random pix
1. The 4 of us at Mt Vernon a couple of weeks ago.
2. Avery with the George Washington family.
3. The girls, Iain's Aunt Siz and I at the Liberty Bell a few days later.
4. Avery on a carousel after the Liberty Bell (the girls were far more impressed with the carousel than with the Bell)!
5. Me, at a restaurant after church today. I look a little crazy, but Iain says I should put it on the blog.
In other news, Audrey's first week of school went well. She doesn't even want me to pick her up until after the optional "lunch bunch" so that she can stay and eat with her friends. The teacher says she's doing really well with everything, and the only thing she needs to work on is being willing to dance with her class in total free-form at the end of each day. The problem is that I think she might have inherited my gene for thinking "um, no way, lady." =) And Avery has learned exceptional manners lately...she will automatically say "thank you mommy" for many things without being reminded. We love these girls sooooooooo much!
2. Avery with the George Washington family.
3. The girls, Iain's Aunt Siz and I at the Liberty Bell a few days later.
4. Avery on a carousel after the Liberty Bell (the girls were far more impressed with the carousel than with the Bell)!
5. Me, at a restaurant after church today. I look a little crazy, but Iain says I should put it on the blog.
In other news, Audrey's first week of school went well. She doesn't even want me to pick her up until after the optional "lunch bunch" so that she can stay and eat with her friends. The teacher says she's doing really well with everything, and the only thing she needs to work on is being willing to dance with her class in total free-form at the end of each day. The problem is that I think she might have inherited my gene for thinking "um, no way, lady." =) And Avery has learned exceptional manners lately...she will automatically say "thank you mommy" for many things without being reminded. We love these girls sooooooooo much!
Before Church
The girls wanted to take pix this morning before church. Aves took the one of Audrey(I held the camera steady for her ... she's a wild woman w/ the camera), Audrey took the one of Avery and I (really a great job by a 3-year old of getting everyone's heads in the pix), and I took the one of them together. They had just finished their in-house tap recital for me....
Our Garden
So we planted a garden in mid-August. Audrey helped put the plants in the ground and they both help water every day. It was looking awesome! The broccoli and cauliflower still look pretty good. But sometime between Friday morning and Saturday morning, the deer ate all of our spinach and beans. All of it. I know that some of you reading this blog think that's not a big loss. =) Audrey just said "I guess we'll have to buy some more."
Separately, I have some video from yesterday at our church's community picnic. The problem is that they won't upload this morning for some reason. I'll try again later. But the girls had a great time! We took the little roller coaster that Mim gave Avery for her birthday and it was a HIT! And the girls did a great job of sharing! They got their faces painted (Audrey chose Dora, Avery chose Cinderella), got balloon animals, and ate Oreos. It doesn't get much better. =)
Separately, I have some video from yesterday at our church's community picnic. The problem is that they won't upload this morning for some reason. I'll try again later. But the girls had a great time! We took the little roller coaster that Mim gave Avery for her birthday and it was a HIT! And the girls did a great job of sharing! They got their faces painted (Audrey chose Dora, Avery chose Cinderella), got balloon animals, and ate Oreos. It doesn't get much better. =)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Audrey's first day of preschool
She did a great job! She was excited last night (she picked out her clothes, decided how she wanted her hair, and selected her breakfast menu) and this morning, but I was afraid that when it was time for Avery and I to leave her there, she was going to be sad. Nope. She kissed me, hugged Avery (Avery started crying because she thought she was getting left there also) and then walked to the other side of the classroom to start playing. Not even a glimmer of a sad look, which was a little sad for me, but mostly makes me ecstatic!
When we picked her up, she wanted to stay for an extra 30 minutes to have lunch with her new friends. Awesome!
Here are some pix of her before school eating breakfast, some before-school trampoline play, pushing the button in the elevator, and standing next to her cubbyhole.
When we picked her up, she wanted to stay for an extra 30 minutes to have lunch with her new friends. Awesome!
Here are some pix of her before school eating breakfast, some before-school trampoline play, pushing the button in the elevator, and standing next to her cubbyhole.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A little late
First, happy 2nd birthday Avery (2 weeks late)!! She's been walking around singing Happy Birthday in both English and Spanish for the last 3 weeks (she even sang it for the doctor on Tuesday at her 2-year check-up). As soon as I can find the video camera, I'll upload some video of her in action. She's obviously the 2nd child ... I think Audrey's 2nd birthday pix were up within hours of the action... =)
Second, Iain's first day of class was on Tuesday, and so far, so good. Again, as soon as I find the video camera, I'll upload the video of him on his way out the door (at 5:57am to catch the bus to the train to the next train to walk a few blocks to school).
Third, Audrey's favorite new thing to do is to set Avery up so that Audrey can tell on her. As background, Avery almost always says "yes" or "uh-huh" to anything Audrey asks. So earlier this week, Avery was drinking water out of a cup we were all sharing. The conversation went like this:
Audrey: "Avery, are you going to drink all the water?"
Avery: "Uh-huh"
Audrey (in a tattle-tale voice): "MOMMY, Avery says she's going to drink all the water."
Then, this morning, Avery and Audrey were standing in the kitchen while I was getting breakfast ready. Audrey said she wanted to help and I told her okay. Avery was standing there, minding her own business. Then Audrey says "Mommy, I just need to ask Avery one thing." The next part:
Audrey: "Avery, do you want Mommy to do it by herself so that I can't help?"
Avery: "Uh-huh."
Audrey: "MOMMY, Avery says she doesn't want me to help!"
Lastly, a couple of pix of the girls from this afternoon on their new roller coaster.
Second, Iain's first day of class was on Tuesday, and so far, so good. Again, as soon as I find the video camera, I'll upload the video of him on his way out the door (at 5:57am to catch the bus to the train to the next train to walk a few blocks to school).
Third, Audrey's favorite new thing to do is to set Avery up so that Audrey can tell on her. As background, Avery almost always says "yes" or "uh-huh" to anything Audrey asks. So earlier this week, Avery was drinking water out of a cup we were all sharing. The conversation went like this:
Audrey: "Avery, are you going to drink all the water?"
Avery: "Uh-huh"
Audrey (in a tattle-tale voice): "MOMMY, Avery says she's going to drink all the water."
Then, this morning, Avery and Audrey were standing in the kitchen while I was getting breakfast ready. Audrey said she wanted to help and I told her okay. Avery was standing there, minding her own business. Then Audrey says "Mommy, I just need to ask Avery one thing." The next part:
Audrey: "Avery, do you want Mommy to do it by herself so that I can't help?"
Avery: "Uh-huh."
Audrey: "MOMMY, Avery says she doesn't want me to help!"
Lastly, a couple of pix of the girls from this afternoon on their new roller coaster.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Happy Birthday Iain
We're home and we had a great time! We had a bad storm the week before we left and the internet wasn't working, so sorry for the lack of blogging. Hopefully I'll get back around to posting some pix and stories from our last 2 weeks. In the meantime, here's a video of Iain's birthday on Monday night (this was the pre-cake singing).
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Cows in the road, tire swings and the beach
A few videos from our weekend. The first one is from the window of our bus on the way to the coast (this was the second herd we saw from the bus; I'm sorry I didn't get video of the first herd because there were about twice as many and they were taking up the entire road). The second is in a little park where we stopped for breakfast. The third is the beach where our hotel was (and was within 5 minutes of arriving).
When we were on the boat, we explained to Avery and Audrey that if they fell overboard, not to panic. Their lifejackets would keep them above water and Daddy would be in right behind them to get them. We told them this every time we got on the boat, and they always nodded but didn't say anything. When we got home last night, Audrey was telling Elmo about our trip (she always likes to brief him about the things she's done and have him ask her questions). So the very first thing she started telling him after he said "what did you do this weekend" was "yeah, if you go in the boat, Daddy will help you put floaties on and then if you fall in the water, you don't have to be scared. You'll float and Daddy will come get you, so you don't need to worry, Elmo."
When we were on the boat, we explained to Avery and Audrey that if they fell overboard, not to panic. Their lifejackets would keep them above water and Daddy would be in right behind them to get them. We told them this every time we got on the boat, and they always nodded but didn't say anything. When we got home last night, Audrey was telling Elmo about our trip (she always likes to brief him about the things she's done and have him ask her questions). So the very first thing she started telling him after he said "what did you do this weekend" was "yeah, if you go in the boat, Daddy will help you put floaties on and then if you fall in the water, you don't have to be scared. You'll float and Daddy will come get you, so you don't need to worry, Elmo."
The Pacific Coast
We left early Saturday morning for a trip to some islands off the Pacific Coast. We went with a group from our school that, to Iain's disappointment, only wanted to speak English. However, the beauty of the places we travelled more than made up for the lack of Spanish.
We rode a bus for 2 hours to get on a small boat to take us out to a big boat for a 20-minute ride (think fast and fun!) to get on a little inflated dinghy to take us to the shore. We arrived at an island in the middle of nowhere, where a couple of Americans had built a house to take people on chartered fishing trips. I guess there were no fishermen this weekend, so we took advantage of their beautiful house and awesome cooking (it was 3 guys doing the cooking, so we weren't expecting much, but the food was way better than anything I've ever made). The 4 of us all slept on a full-size bed (it was the worst night of sleeping I've ever had, but the girls seemed to do fine).
Anyway, after we got off the dinghy, Audrey just wanted to strip her clothes off and run in the waves. It was awesome to watch her (and as soon as Avery saw what was going on, she was quickly following suit).
We saw a crocodile swimming in the water (the lagoon behind the house is apparently where about 10 of them live) ... don't worry, it wasn't swimming close to the beach. =)
On Sunday, we took the boat to another island which, again, was in the middle of nowhere. It looked exactly like the image you would conjure in your head of a tropical deserted island. On most of the island was thick vegetation. Then, in one little lagoon, was a perfectly white sandy beach with coconut palms in the background and crystal blue water. We had to climb down the boat ladder and swim to shore, which Audrey wasn't so crazy about, but both girls had their flugles on the whole time and did a super job. We just sat on the beach making sandcastles and running around, drinking coconut milk, and Iain and I took turns snorkeling. It was so much fun! And I think we managed to escape without any sunburns, which if you know our pasty white family, is quite a feat! =)
The entire trip was about perfect (3 minutes from arriving back home, Avery threw up on the bus, but as soon as we got off, she seemed to be fine, so I'm thinking maybe it was carsickness).
Pix are below. The pic of Iain and another guy (Gerardo) in red shirts are them showing off their Spain pride for the WorldCup final. (Yes, Iain quickly abandoned Brazil after they lost and became a die-hard Spain fan.) The pic of Audrey and the young Panamanian girl is from Audrey sitting in the front of the bus on the way home. She was SOOOOOOOO excited to sit up there and we could see her talking non-stop for the first hour (the second hour she slept). Anyway, we think she was speaking completely in English, and we don't think the girl understood anything Audrey said, but they seemed to be having an awesome time.
We rode a bus for 2 hours to get on a small boat to take us out to a big boat for a 20-minute ride (think fast and fun!) to get on a little inflated dinghy to take us to the shore. We arrived at an island in the middle of nowhere, where a couple of Americans had built a house to take people on chartered fishing trips. I guess there were no fishermen this weekend, so we took advantage of their beautiful house and awesome cooking (it was 3 guys doing the cooking, so we weren't expecting much, but the food was way better than anything I've ever made). The 4 of us all slept on a full-size bed (it was the worst night of sleeping I've ever had, but the girls seemed to do fine).
Anyway, after we got off the dinghy, Audrey just wanted to strip her clothes off and run in the waves. It was awesome to watch her (and as soon as Avery saw what was going on, she was quickly following suit).
We saw a crocodile swimming in the water (the lagoon behind the house is apparently where about 10 of them live) ... don't worry, it wasn't swimming close to the beach. =)
On Sunday, we took the boat to another island which, again, was in the middle of nowhere. It looked exactly like the image you would conjure in your head of a tropical deserted island. On most of the island was thick vegetation. Then, in one little lagoon, was a perfectly white sandy beach with coconut palms in the background and crystal blue water. We had to climb down the boat ladder and swim to shore, which Audrey wasn't so crazy about, but both girls had their flugles on the whole time and did a super job. We just sat on the beach making sandcastles and running around, drinking coconut milk, and Iain and I took turns snorkeling. It was so much fun! And I think we managed to escape without any sunburns, which if you know our pasty white family, is quite a feat! =)
The entire trip was about perfect (3 minutes from arriving back home, Avery threw up on the bus, but as soon as we got off, she seemed to be fine, so I'm thinking maybe it was carsickness).
Pix are below. The pic of Iain and another guy (Gerardo) in red shirts are them showing off their Spain pride for the WorldCup final. (Yes, Iain quickly abandoned Brazil after they lost and became a die-hard Spain fan.) The pic of Audrey and the young Panamanian girl is from Audrey sitting in the front of the bus on the way home. She was SOOOOOOOO excited to sit up there and we could see her talking non-stop for the first hour (the second hour she slept). Anyway, we think she was speaking completely in English, and we don't think the girl understood anything Audrey said, but they seemed to be having an awesome time.
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